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Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause illnesses such as the common
cold, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory
syndrome (MERS). In 2019, a new coronavirus was identified as the cause of a
disease outbreak that originated in China.
Public health groups, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) and WHO, are monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and posting updates on
their websites. These groups have also issued recommendations for preventing and
treating
Fever
Cough
Tiredness
Muscle aches
Chills
Sore throat
Runny nose
Headache
Chest pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Rash
This list isn't complete. Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have
mild illness.
The severity of COVID-19 symptoms can range from very mild to severe. Some
people may have only a few symptoms. Some people may have no symptoms at all,
but can still spread it (asymptomatic transmission). Some people may experience
worsened symptoms, such as worsened shortness of breath and pneumonia, about
a week after symptoms start.
People who are older have a higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19, and the
risk increases with age. People who have existing medical conditions also may have
a higher risk of serious illness. Certain medical conditions that may increase the risk
of serious illness from COVID-19 include:
Cancer
Pregnancy
Asthma
Liver disease
Dementia
Down syndrome
This list is not complete. Other medical conditions may increase your risk of serious
illness from COVID-19.
COVID-19 self-checker
Assess your symptoms on CDC’s coronavirus self-checker tool and find out if you’re
a candidate for a COVID-19 test.
When to see a doctor
Trouble breathing
New confusion
This list isn't complete. Let your health care provider know if you are an older adult or
have chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease or lung disease, as you may
have a greater risk of becoming seriously ill with COVID-19.
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Causes
The virus can also spread if you touch a surface with the virus on it and then touch
your mouth, nose or eyes. But the risk is low.
When a virus has one or more new mutations it’s called a variant of the original virus.
Currently, the CDC has identified two variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 as
variants of concern. These include the delta (B.1.617.2) variant and the omicron
(B.1.1.529) variant. The delta variant is more contagious than earlier variants and
might cause more severe disease. The omicron variant spreads more easily than
other variants, including delta. But omicron appears to cause less severe disease.
Omicron has a few major offshoots (sublineages), including BA.1, BA.2 and BA.3.
Risk factors
Complications
Although most people with COVID-19 have mild to moderate symptoms, the disease
can cause severe medical complications and lead to death in some people. Older
adults or people with existing medical conditions are at greater risk of becoming
seriously ill with COVID-19.
Heart problems
Blood clots
Prevention
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given emergency use
authorization to some COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. The FDA has
approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, now called Comirnaty, to
prevent COVID-19 in people age 16 and older. The FDA has given emergency use
authorization to Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines for ages 5 through 15.
The FDA has approved the Moderna vaccine, now called Spikevax, to
prevent COVID-19 in people age 18 and older.
After getting vaccinated, you can more safely return to many activities you may not
have been able to do because of the pandemic. However, if you are in an area with a
high number of people with COVID-19 in the hospital and new COVID-19 cases,
the CDC recommends wearing a mask indoors in public. You're considered fully
vaccinated two weeks after you get a second dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
or two weeks after you get a single dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-
19 vaccine. You are considered up to date with your vaccines if you have gotten all
recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including booster doses, when you become
eligible.
In contrast, a booster dose is recommended for people who are vaccinated and
whose immune response weakened over time. Research suggests that getting a
booster dose can decrease your risk of infection and severe illness with COVID-19.
People who have a moderately or severely weakened immune system should get an
additional primary shot and a booster shot.
The third dose should be given at least 28 days after a second dose of
an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. The additional dose should be the same
brand as the other two mRNA COVID-19 vaccine doses you were given.
If the brand given isn't known, either brand of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
can be given as a third dose.
Booster dose. If you are age 12 or older, have been given both doses of
the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and it’s been at least 5 months,
you should get a single booster dose. Teens ages 12 to 17 should only
get the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster. For people age 18
or older, the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine boosters
are preferred in most situations.
If you are age 18 or older, have been given both doses of the
Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and it’s been at least 5 months, you should
get a single booster dose. The Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-
19 vaccine boosters are preferred in most situations.
If you are age 18 or older, have been given one dose of the
Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and it’s been at least 2
months, you should get a single booster dose. The Pfizer-BioNTech or
Moderna COVID-19 vaccine boosters are preferred in most situations.
Avoid close contact (within about 6 feet, or 2 meters) with anyone who is
sick or has symptoms.
Avoid crowds and indoor places that have poor air flow (ventilation).
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or
use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Wear a face mask in indoor public spaces if you're in an area with a high
number of people with COVID-19 in the hospital and new COVID-
19 cases, whether or not you're vaccinated. The CDC recommends
wearing the most protective mask possible that you'll wear regularly, fits
well and is comfortable.
Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough
or sneeze. Throw away the used tissue. Wash your hands right away.
Stay home from work, school and public areas and stay home in isolation
if you're sick, unless you're going to get medical care. Avoid public
transportation, taxis and ride-hailing services if you're sick.
If you have a chronic medical condition and may have a higher risk of serious illness,
check with your doctor about other ways to protect yourself.
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